Auto sales in Canada down 2 per cent in August
by The Canadian Press
Following record sales numbers throughout 2016, August represents the first time since early 2013 that there has been two consecutive monthly declines
RICHMOND HILL, Ont.—DesRosiers Automotive Consultants says new light vehicle sales in Canada were down two per cent in August compared to a year ago, although the country is still on pace to achieve another sales record by end of year.
The consulting firm says this represents the first time since early 2013 that there has been two consecutive months of year-over-year declines.
Sales of new light vehicles were still up 3.7 per cent year-to-date compared to 2015.
DesRosiers reported sales of new cars and light trucks in August totalling 172,034 compared to 175,512 in the same month last year.
Car sales totalled 58,645 in August, down 9.2 per cent from 64,622 a year ago, while light truck sales totalled 113,389, up 2.3 per cent from 110,890 in August of 2015.
The August figures bring the sales for the year-to-date to 1,334,515 compared to 1,286,795 in the first eight months of last year.
The data came as Fiat Chrysler Canada announced it had revised some sales figures for its vehicles dating back to 2011 because of a new approach in calculating sales.
The company said its streak of increased monthly sales from December 2009 until November of last year did not happen, based on the revised figures.
Instead, that streak would have ended in April 2012 based on the new calculations, Fiat Chrysler Canada said.
Detroit-based Fiat Chrysler first announced it was revising sales figures after two federal agencies in the U.S. launched investigations into whether it inflated sales by pressing dealers to buy more vehicles.
